theatriQ

/the-at-rik/

a performing arts youth ensemble for queer & Trans creatives

(welcoming ages 13-26)

For over 20 years, theatriQ has provided a welcoming environment for young people to grow in confidence, express themselves, and develop as leaders.

Every year theatriQ invites local multidisciplinary artists to serve as mentors and guides for young people. Together, they create and share original work (theatre, visual art, music, etc.) exploring LGBTQA+ themes.

Get involved

2025-2026 SEASON

Want to hang out, learn, create AND get paid*?? Join Dreams of Hope’s theatriQ, a performing arts ensemble for young queer and Trans creatives.

We meet at KST Alloy Studios Wendesday nights, 5:30-8 starting Fall 2026.

theatriQ welcomes ages 13-26.

*Participants earn a stipend at the end of the program based on attendance.

Express Interest

missed OUR SHOW IN april? watch the recording!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

If your question is not answered below, please feel free to email us at info@dreamsofhope.org and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

What will I do in theatriQ?

Learn about the intersection of queerness & theatre
Explore the foundations of theater and performance
Be yourself & tell your story through art
Collaborate to create original work
Work with seasoned artists
Educate audiences through performances and workshops

Who can join?

We are open to ANY and ALL creative queer and trans youth!

Great! But, what do you mean by “youth?”

By youth, we mean young people. Our current age range is 13-26.

But, what if I’m not “creative?”

Creative means so many things! You might instead call yourself a crafter, hobbyist, writer, musician, performer, artist, poet, activist, organizer, or leader.

Even if you don’t “create,” we as humans express our unique emotions, feelings, and experiences.

So, we encourage you to join one of our creative sessions even if you don’t identify with having any particular art form!

What are creative sessions?

Creative sessions are what we call are weekly meetings.

This is a time for us to join collectively to learn, create, express, and be.

Folks in attendance are

Young people that are participating
Seasoned, local teaching artists that hold space, facilitate activities, and share knowledge
Dreams of Hope staff members that provide support

In this time together, we explore the foundations of theater and performance, genres, technical theatre, and playwriting, and more. There are often creative exercises like creating charters, writing scenes, reading pieces, or creating your own works of art!

We also focus on devising a full production together over the course of a semester. Visit our productions page or our youtube channel to get an idea of what theatriQ has devised over the last 20 years!

Where and where do we meet?

We hold creative sessions on Wednesday evenings 5:30-8pm at KST Alloy Studios in the neighborhood of East Liberty Pittsburgh, PA.

If you are interested in attending a workshop, please RSVP above so we can prepare.

We will meet in the Upstairs Studio. Once you arrive, you will use the buzzer and enter the studio door on Stratford Ave. Someone will be there to greet you, or you can follow the signs to the elevator that will bring you to the Upstairs Studio (3rd floor).

Accessible via bus lines: 71A, 71C, 77, 87, 88, and 89.
Street parking is available.

What’s the commitment level?

Our 2024-25 season runs October - April with a winter break.

The ensemble dedicates focus to creating and producing a youth devised mainstage show, presented in April 2025.

We encourage weekly attendance and participation! We hope you can attend as many weekly creative sessions as possible, but its okay if you can’t make them all. Once you have registered, please let us know when you won’t be able to make it!

Sometimes, there are creative prompts that you may take home with you to explore, in a fun and creative way.

In April, there will be a bonus tech week and traditional tech week, which are daily rehearsals the week before performances start. We will have multiple performances one weekend in April – Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Dreams of Hope compensates creative labor and has funding to provide stipends to theatriQ participants at the end of the series.

Will there be people my age?

Yes, there will probably be a few! However, with our expansive age range of 13-26, we can’t guarantee that the majority of people participating will be around the same age as you.

Additionally, at Dreams of Hope, mentorship is at the heart of our work. That means many things, but here we highlight it to share about peer mentorship in action: the young people who have been involved with Dreams of Hope for a few years are welcoming and supportive to new members!

Who are the Dreams of Hope staff who will be present?

Our Program Director, Bekezela Mguni, and our Marketing and Outreach Steward malakai koehler, coordinate theatriQ. One or both of them are present at each creative session!

Click their names or photos to learn more about them.